This Reminds Me Of A Story

Some people insist to measure and judge you by that which you are not, which you do not have, you cannot, or that which you do not know. Reject this stupid abuse; assert credit for who you are, for what you do and what you know. This reminds me of a story: The splendid court of Samarkand was glittering with the loot of twelve conquered kingdoms. Maulana Nasr Ed Din, the eating guest of Emir Tamerlane spent his days dressed in pure silk, sat at the King's table, and lay his fingers on the finest delicacies brought from the confines of the empire. The advisers sought his advice and the powerful laughed heartily at the bite of his jokes, while the Kinsman of the Khan showered him with small gold coins. It is related that a party of young noble princes, still unknowing of the ways of the world, met the old Mullah one day amidst the trees of the royal garden and challenged his worth: "Now tell us Seeker of the Truth, from all people you must know; how many grains of sand ...

It is hard to correct people who know for certain but there are ways to make them discover the wider truth; here is one of my ways of doing it: to challenge peoples' certitudes from inside grow them. Develop them. Usually, they burst into paradox. Then, help them rise and see themselves from above, at their real dimension, where what they do to other people is applied to them. This reminds me of a story: One day Nasrudin found a dervish stealing figs in his orchard. As he grabbed the fakir by the neck he shouted: “What do you think you are doing here sheikh?” “Nothing wrong, answered the Sufi with insolent confidence. I am Allah’s loving servant, feeding on the fruit of God’s tree in Allah’s garden.” “Is that so!”, growled the Hodja and proceeded to beat him with no pity but with a solid wooden stick instead. “Infidel! screamed the dervish, how do you dare rising your hand upon a saint? Don’t you see what you are doing?” “Nothing wrong, replied the Hodja. Just hitt...

We don't learn from experience, but from the way we understand it. It is God's hand in everything or simply the work of your own hand. This reminds me of a story: After another one of his many battles with the rebellious Black Sheep, Timur rode back to his tents and sat on his throne, surrounded by his court. For a long time the roomful of courtiers and noblemen was silent, waiting for him to speak. Until finally he sighed loudly and said: "A horse saved me." Everyone started breathing again and rivalled in ooh's and aah's, glad as they were to learn that their master was safe and sound, and, additionally, that he harboured no bad feelings towards them, at least not for the moment. "How did this happen, Amir?" asked the Grand Vizier of the Grand Emir. The Grand Emir took a deep breath, and told the story, slowly and eloquently: "Impetuous in my chasing of an enemy chieftain whose name is already forgotten, and which I wanted to cu...

Things that do not exist have an enormous potential; unhindered by fact, everything becomes possible. to imaginary problems you can impart imaginary solutions, at will. Moreover, the non existent is indistructible and forever reliable. Build your castles in imaginary, intangible realms and you will never be proven wrong. This reminds me of a story: When Hodja was a cadi, two peasants came to plead their case. The first one was very convinced of his right: “This man was carrying a big load of dry wood. He lost balance and fell. The wood spread all around him. As I was near him, he asked me for help. I asked him what he would give me for the assistance. “Nothing.” he answered. I agreed: “All right, I will do it for nothing.” I gathered with him all the fallen wood and then put it on his back. When we got to his home I asked him to pay me nothing but he refused. It is my right though. I demand to be paid as agreed.” The second man confessed that indeed he did agree to pay n...

Few things teach like show-how. Only experience is stronger. Reserve this for the important insights. This reminds me of a story: One early morning, Tamerlane sent for Nasrudin. "Listen, worm" he spoke, "Once more I did not find sleep this night. I was thinking of Hell and Heaven. I was trying to figure how those places could be. But there was a veil on my mind's eye. I thought I give you a chance to teach me today about the kingdoms of the after-world, or, if you don't know, to send you to find out for me. See what I mean?" Hoca looked the Emir in the eye and said: "You don't need to know both those places, old thief. And who are you, but a lame duck with a rusty sword, unworthy of even raising your question to such unworldly things?" Red in the face, Timur drew his formidable scimitar to chop the insolent head and wash his hands in fresh blood. Nasrudin was flung on his knees. The curved blade rose above him like the wing of Azr...

Cultivate the art of profuse excuses. Nobody believes them but at least you prove that you care and have imagination. This reminds me of a story: A neighbour came, again, to ask Hodja to lend him his donkey, Abdul. “I must go and ask Abdul first,” answered Nasrudin.” If he agrees, he’s yours for the whole day.” He went and came back after a short while: “How unfortunate! He is totally unwilling. He said that things can only go wrong, and I, his master will come out with a disadvantage. If you go in front of him, he will bite you. If you go behind him, he will kick you. If you mount him he will bolt and throw you. Anyway, whatever of these, you will curse me.”

Tempters are those who lure you to be what you are not, or worse, to think no evil. It is a loosing game. This reminds me of a story: The mighty and terrible Tamerlane, conqueror of numberless kingdoms, had, besides his awesome qualities, a couple of minor shortcomings. He was limping - to the comfort of his enemies who called him Timur the Lame - his hand was crippled and he was also blind in one eye, as it seems. But where he set his foot the grass never grew again and everything he saw with that one evil eye of his he proved able to conquer. At the zenith of his fortunes, he desired to be handsome too. Alas, the Emir could not conquer, grab and burn himself to the ground to get what he wanted. So, he thought to pay. He promised a shower of gold and emeralds and honours to whomever cured him. Unfortunately, the healers were shy to come forward, as Tamerlane's temper was notorious. For want of volunteers, the impatient ruler reverted to his favourite scapegoat, Nasrudin. ...